Brain Plasticity

Question 1

What is brain plasticity?

Answer 1

Refers to the way the brain changes in response to stimulation from the environment.

Question 2

Explain adaptive plasticity.

Answer 2

Occuring in adults, allows for older brains to be modified through experience and learning.

Question 3

Explain developmental plasticity.

Answer 3

Occurs from infancy to adolescence, slowing as the child ages. Describes the relatively rapid changes to a child’s brain as they learn, grow, and adapt to their environment.

Question 4

What are the 5 stages of plasticity?

Answer 4

1. Proliferation
2. Migration
3. Circuit formation
4. Synaptic pruning
5. Myenination

Question 5

What happens during proliferation?

Answer 5

The division and multiplication of an unborn baby’s cells, producing other cells as well as neurons. Creates about 250 000 cells per minute.

Question 6

What happens during migration?

Answer 6

Newly formed neurons move from the point of proliferation, to their destined location. Depending on the timing and location of the cells formation, neurons will move to different areas of the nervous system.

Question 7

What happens during circuit formation?

Answer 7

When axons of the new neurons grow outwards to create synapses with target cells.

Question 8

What happens during synaptic puning?

Answer 8

If connectionsmade in circuit formation are not beneficial, or are not optimised, the synapse (or neuron itself) is cut back (or killed). This process allows for the strengthening and optimisation of synapses, speeding up communication within the nervous system.

Question 9

What happens during myelination, and when does the myelination begin and end?

Answer 9

Axons begin to be insulated by fatty myelin, protecting them from electrical interference from other cells, and speeding up neural messaging., begins in the prenatal stage and ends in early adult hood.